FORMER Ipswich Town star James Scowcroft will not be starting the season at Bury Town.

Scowcroft, who was brought up in nearby Stanton, has been linked with a move to Ram Meadow all summer after being released by Leyton Orient at the end of last season.

Bury, who are looking forward to life in the Premier Division of the Ryman League after winning promotion last season, have been in talks with the 34-year-old and he even played 45 minutes for the club in a pre-season friendly against Biggleswade Town.

Bury manager Richard Wilkins said yesterday: “I have spoken to him a few times, but James doesn’t really know what he wants to do at the moment and we respect his position at this time.

“He has a few irons in the fire, so doesn’t really want to commit to Bury and then maybe something else crops up.

“It would be nice to have him on board, and if he becomes available we will see if we are in a position to secure his services.

“If he decides he wants to commit to Bury we want him to be fully focused and 100 per cent committed.

“He has been a professional footballer for a long time and he is spending some time with his family and having a holiday before he decides what he wants to do.”

Wilkins has lost three key members of his squad from last season – Ben Coker has joined Colchester United, Gavin Johnson has dropped down to play for Walsham-le-Willows in the Ridgeons League and Lee Underwood is currently in America and not expected to return until Christmas.

However, Wilkins has signed Mark Coulson, whose previous clubs include Peterborough, Cambridge United and Histon and can play in either full back position or in midfield, while Scott Chaplin has now finished university and will be regularly available this season.

Wilkins said some players he had spoken to wanted more money than Bury could offer them, while others they had considered were no better than what they have already got.

But he did not rule out the possibility of signing players during the course of the season, just as he did during last season’s promotion-winning campaign with Kieran Leabon and Neil Andrews joining from Histon and Chris Henderson from Kirkley & Pakefield.

“If players become available who can improve the squad we will look to will to do so. In early or mid-September a few players often become available,” he added.